In Papua New Guinea, access to affordable and appropriate financial services remains a critical driver of inclusive economic growth. For thousands of women, smallholder farmers and informal entrepreneurs, the challenge is not a lack of enterprise or ambition, but limited access to finance, financial knowledge and opportunities to grow their businesses.
Women's Micro Bank Limited branded as Mama Bank is addressing this gap through a distinctive, community-centered microfinance approach that places women, families and livelihoods at the heart of financial inclusion. Our philosophy goes beyond conventional banking and believes that bringing financial services closer to people, understanding their circumstances and providing timely and appropriate financial solutions. Our financial inclusion strategy combines access to savings and credit with Financial Literacy Training (FLT), Business Development Skill Trainings (BDS) and community awareness programs, enabling women and their families to make informed financial decisions, build savings and strengthen their livelihoods.
A key priority is expanding access to finance across the informal (IMSME), Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME), and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sectors. In line with the National Government’s vision of making finance more accessible and inclusive for entrepreneurs across Papua New Guinea, Mama Bank offers appropriately structured Nano, Informal, MSME and SME financing products to support businesses at different stages of growth.
In 2025, Mama Bank joined the National Government’s SME Financing Programme, alongside BSP and the National Development Bank (NDB), which have been part of the programme since 2020. Through this initiative, Mama Bank supports market vendors, micro-entrepreneurs, women-owned businesses, smallholder farmers and growing enterprises across various industries. Financing is facilitated through a wide network of aggregators and partners, including structured markets, churches, cooperatives, training institutions, women’s associations, local NGOs and recognized SME hubs.
Recognizing the importance of sustainable economic development, Mama Bank is also advancing green and blue finance through partnerships with District Development Authorities (DDAs), Provincial Executive Councils (PECs), development partners and like-minded organizations. These initiatives aim to connect rural and coastal communities with appropriate financing, strengthen livelihoods and promote sustainable enterprises while protecting the natural resources on which they depend.
With over 200,000 customers, approximately 82% of whom are women, Mama Bank continues to strengthen its contribution to financial inclusion and economic participation in Papua New Guinea. Looking ahead, the Bank remains committed to expanding its reach, strengthening digital financial services, deepening strategic partnerships and mobilizing finance for women, families and enterprises across the country.
We believe that women empowerment is the backbone of economic empowerment of the country and we give trust on Women SME development, easy access to finance with simplicity.
